The first light of dawn brushed across my face. I blinked awake to see sunlight spilling through the curtains, gilding the air in gold.
I yawned, feeling oddly refreshed. The weight that had pressed on me for weeks was lighter now, though the faint thrum beneath my chest reminded me the seal was still there — sleeping, for now.
Today marked the start of spring break. More than that, today I would travel with Carmila Noctharyn, the Vampire Princess herself, to her homeland: the Royal Capital of Noctareth.
The thought sent a thrill through me.
When mana had first flooded Earth centuries ago, it hadn't come gently. The world cracked, seas rose, and old continents drowned. Antarctica vanished beneath the waves. From that chaos, new races arrived — Vampires, Elves, Dwarves, Demihumans — reshaping humanity's shattered world.
Now, five empires stood:the Vampire Noctharyn Empire across the former Europe;the Human Empire Auraldane in Asia;the Elven Kingdom of Silvarion and the Demihuman Dominion Dravenholt sharing North America;and the Dwarven Empire Anvilgard across Australisia.
A new world born from mana's fire.
After bathing and breakfast, I dressed in black jeans and a white shirt, sword at my side. Supplies shimmered into my space ring — rations, elixirs, a few personal charms.
Outside, students bustled through the dorm corridors, laughter bright. They were going home — to families that welcomed them. I envied that for a heartbeat before the memory soured.
Home had never welcomed me. My parents ignored me, my sister mocked me. The weak child who couldn't awaken properly — that was me once.
Not anymore.
"I'll become the strongest," I murmured. "That's all that matters."
As the lift doors opened, a presence brushed against my senses — cool, familiar, powerful.
Before I even turned, I knew who it was.
Carmila Noctharyn.
She stood at the far end of the hall, clad in black and crimson. Her red hair gleamed like fire, eyes glowing with predatory warmth. Her lips curved into that dangerous smile — devotion and madness twined together.
In the story I remembered, she'd looked at Kael Rivers, the so-called protagonist, that way.
But now, her gaze was fixed on me.
"Good morning," she said, her voice a velvet whisper. Her tongue brushed her lips as she studied me.
"Good morning to you too," I replied evenly, though my heart raced. She wasn't just beautiful — she was lethal. A yandere princess whose affection burned as hot as blood.
I told myself to stay calm. Remember who she is.
She tilted her head. "How do I look?"
The words escaped before I could stop them. "Beautiful."
A faint blush touched her cheeks. "Thank you."
Silence stretched. Passing students glanced at us with open curiosity. I cleared my throat. "Let's go."
Her smile deepened. "As you wish."
We walked side by side through the academy gates toward the mana-portal plaza. The crystal platform shimmered with blue light, runes circling its base. When our turn came, the guard asked for our destination.
"Noctharyn Empire — Royal Capital, Noctareth," I said.
He nodded, adjusted the coordinates. The portal flared, and in a breath we were gone.
Light folded, then reformed.
I opened my eyes to a city bathed in scarlet dawn.
Noctareth.Spired towers of black marble reached for the clouds, their edges traced in silver. Streets of obsidian stretched beneath mana lamps that glowed faintly even under sunlight. The air itself shimmered with life.
"So," Carmila said, her eyes gleaming. "How do you like my home?"
"Majestic," I breathed.
Vampires moved gracefully through the streets — not hiding from the sun but embracing it. Mana saturated their bodies; blood was luxury, not survival. Eternal, flawless, radiant.
A sleek black car glided to a halt before us, humming with mana. From it stepped a woman of striking poise — black hair, crimson eyes, an aura that made the air tighten.
"Vanessa Raze," Carmila said softly. "Royal Commander."
The woman bowed. "Your Highness. I've been ordered to escort you and your companion to the palace."
We entered the car, the seats lined with enchanted leather. Outside, Noctareth unfolded — markets alive with shimmering crystals, airships drifting above, nobles in obsidian silk.
Half an hour later, the palace rose before us — colossal, magnificent. Its towers pierced the clouds, crimson banners fluttering against the wind. Mana conduits pulsed through its black stone walls like veins of light.
The gates opened. Guards in dark armor knelt as Carmila passed. Their reverence carried the weight of devotion.
I followed, silent, awe stirring in my chest.
Carmila turned, her expression softening. "Welcome to Noctareth Palace," she said. "My home… and for now, yours."
I looked up at the vast citadel, sunlight gleaming off its spires.
Once, I had been ignored, unwanted — a forgotten son.
Now, I stood beside the Vampire Princess in the heart of her empire.
Life, it seemed, had a twisted sense of humor.
And deep beneath my ribs, the seal stirred once — a whisper across my soul, too faint to hear but impossible to ignore.
The world is changing, it seemed to say. And you with it.